Glass retainer clip for jalousie panels



Aug. 10, 1954 D. c. BLANCHARD 2,685,717 GLASS RETAINER CLIP FOR JALOUSIE PANELS Filed Jan. 8, 1955 ,INVENTOR. DONN C. BLANCHARD,

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Patented Aug. 10, 1954 OFFICE GLASS RETAINER CLIP FOR JALOUSIE PANELS Donn C. Blanchard, Miami, Fla., assignor to Edward L. Denison, North Miami, Fla.

Application January 8, 1953, Serial No. 330,319

5 Claims.

This invention relates to an improvement in glass retainer clips and particularly to glass retainer clips for the support of the ends of glass panels employed in the well known jalousie windows.

In many of the well known glass j alousies, operating means such as vertically shiftable operating bars are employed to simultaneously swing a group of panels to the open or closed position from a single geared operator. With few exceptions the geared operator is located to one side only of an encompassing rigid frame with a positive link connection from the geared operator to one operating bar and, the panels are bodily swung only on a horizontal axis with the closing torque being through the glass panels to the opposite side of the window. It frequently happens that the clips upon that side of the window that is positively connected with the geared operator will firmly seat with the adjacent overlapping edges of the glass panels in positive engagement but as so frequently happens the clips upon the opposite side of the window may be difficult of operation and will tend to retard the full contacting engagement throughout the overlapping edges of the glass panels thus presenting an objectionable structural defect in the window that permits rain or wind to enter the building.

It is therefore the prime object of the present invention to produce a novel end clip for the glass panels that will assure of a fully contacting engagement of the overlapping edges of the panels throughout their length and with the end clips constructed in a manner to support the ends of the glass panels in a flexible manner that permits them to readily adjust themselves to any inaccuracy of the window.

The invention further has for one of its objectives the provision of end clips that are stamped from a single piece of metal and that a section thereof is bendable over the panels after installation to securely retain the panels against dis placement and with the bendable member adjustable to vary the degree of restraining action upon the panels.

A further object of the invention resides in a novel end clip for jalousie windows that is stamped to provide a flexible tongue that will engage the ends of the panel to prevent end-wise shifting of the panel to thereby reduce any tendency to rattle.

Novel features of construction and operation of the device will be more readily understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings,

wherein has been illustrated a preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein like characters of reference are employed to denote like parts throughout the several figures.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary vertical section taken through a group of jalousie panels illustrating the novel clip of this invention,

Figure 2 is a similar view but with the panels shifted to partially open position,

Figure 3 is a plan view illustrating one end of a glass panel and its supporting end clip removed from the window,

Figure 4 is a side elevation of one end clip and,

Figure 5 is a slightly enlarged perspective view of one end clip.

Referring specifically to the drawings the numeral 5 designates an end clip as a whole, stamped from a single piece of suitable metal, such as aluminum. It will be apparent that these end clips shall be formed in both right and left hand The clip comprises a bottom flange 6 and an upstanding right angle base i. The end of the flange 8 is bent upwardly at a right angle, as at 8 to form a panel stop. The base 1 is extended upwardly to form a crank arm 9, apertured at it and Illa for pivotal connection with a common operating bar H and with the side jarnbs of the window. A link [2 has pivotal connection with an arm I3 embodied in the usual and well known geared operating mechanism, not shown. The base 1 is extended to form a bendable panel retaining tongue !4. The base 1, as clearly shown extends throughout the length of the flange 6, one section of the base 7 as shown at [5 terminating at a height corresponding to the stop 8. I

Inwardly from that end of the flange ii opposite to the stop 8, the base 7 is stamped and bent at a right angle to form a retaining flange it that is parallel with and in spaced relation to the flange 5, thus forming a channel. The retainer flange it, as clearly shown, overlies the supported glass panels ii in space relation, with the flange it extended forwardly and bent downwardly and upwardly as at [8, with its terminal end downwardly bent at H] to form a stop for the marginal edge of the glass panel opposite to the marginal edge that engages the stop 8. As clearly shownin Figure 4 the downwardly bent section of the flange i 6 is angularly disposed to the flange 6 as shown at 20 and this angularly disposed portion is adapted to have a yieldable contacting engagement with the face of the panel l1. It has been calculated that the material forming the clip 5 will embody a predetermined degree of flexibility and, with the panel engaged within the clip and disposed beneath that portion 20 f the flange It. The panel when shifted away from the next adjacent panels, will be automatically angled, as shown clearly in Figure 2. It is to be understood that the panel after being inserted beneath the flange E6 to the point where one marginal edge abuts the stop IE3, the panel is then dropped into position behind the stop 8 and, at this time the tongue 14 is bent over the end of the. panel to thereby prevent the displacement of the from the clip. It is contemplated that the form of the tongue [4 comprises a reduced neck portion 2!, so shaped that when the tongue i3 is bent inwardly, it will be automatically angled downwardly to progressively force the panel I? into the clip and toward the flange ii against the tension of that yieldable portion 20 of the flange it. Thus, the degree of flexing motion of the panel within the clip may be determined to a relatively fine degree, with the flexible portion of the flange 55 maintaining the panel l? in contacting engagement with the tongue 1% at all times when the windows are in open position thus preventing any tendency for panels 11- to rattle or otherwise shift in the clips. To prevent any tendency toward endwise shifting or rattling of the panels, the end clips have their base i 0 extended at one end and bent inwardly to form a flexible tongue 22 that flexibly engages the ends of the panels. Thus the panels are securely locked in position to be shiftable to the open and closed position through the movement of the end clips.

In the use of the device the end clips are usually mounted within the conventional extruded metallic frame and are connected with the conventional operating bars ll through the medium of their crank arms 9. The frame and its pivotal supported group of end clips are then installed in the usual manner in a window opening' and after such installation the clips are ready for the mounting support of the panels l1, here with shown as being formed of glass, although it will be apparent that panels formed or" wood, aluminum or any other desirable materials can be employed if so desired. The construction is such that the panels H can be easily and quickly installed within their end clips from either side of the window opening. It will be apparent that the tongue M of the clips remain in a position parallel with the base sections it: until such time as the panels are fully mounted. After the panels have been shoved beneath the flange it to the point of stop engagement with the stops E9, the panels are dropped down into the clip to rest upon the flange at one end with the panel being angled inwardly to a predetermined maximum degree by the yieldable angled section of the flange It. The operator then proceeds to bend each of the tongues M over to contacting engagement with the surface of the panel i1, compressing the panels ll toward the surface of the flange 6 against the tension of the member 28 at a predetermined degree of clearance with the surface of the flange ii. This degree of clearance has been calculated as being sufiicient to overcome any irregularity in the closing of the panels to full contacting position throughout their length. The open position of the panels shown in Figure 2, clearly illustrates the slight angularity of the panels with respect to their clips and, in Figure l the panels have been moved to fully closed position and, under the influence of the closing action of the geared operator, the operator bar simultaneously shifts the several clips to a position where the overlapping edges of the panels are contacted and, a continued motion of the bar l i causes the panels to force their adjacent panels to a full contacting seat upon the flange e. The closing motion imparted to the clips upon the opposite side of the window will be through the panels 51 and, in such cases where the clips upon the opposite side have become corroded and difficult of operation, there will be a tendency for the panels to twist slightly and create a partial open position of the panels with respect to each other on that side of the window. Eilowever, with the clearance provided for in this novel end clip the panels will be per mitted to partake of a fully contacting engagement throughout their length. When installing the panels ll they will as before stated be shoved beneath the flange iii and, as the panels are positioned beneath the flange it their ends will frictionally bind upon the yieldable tongues 22, retarding any tendency toward end-wise shifting of the panel in the event the panels are slightly shorter than the required overall length.

The novel end clip of this invention possesses afurther very desirable feature in that, the several panels can be installed with a minimum of effort by sliding them into the clips, even into the uppermost clips where there is usually insufficient room, without the necessity of bending the end stops 8 or otherwise bending or distorting the clip. Heretofore, it has been necessary to straighten out the stops 8 in order to slide the panels into place and this bending of the stops 8 frequently causes them to break off and necessitates replacement of the entire clip.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that a very novel form of end clip has been provided for jalousie windows. The device is simple in construction, is strong and durable, greatly simplifies the installation and retaining of the panels and effectively assures of a substantially 4 weather-tight engagement of the panels throughout their length. The clips are stamped from a single piece of metal and require no additional springs, clips or other means for retaining the panel in mounted position.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangement shown but that changes are contemplated as readily fall within the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having described my invention, what I claim new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An end clip for a jalousie panel which comprises, a base for receiving a terminal edge of the panel, spaced opposed flanges carried by said base for receiving opposed face portions of the panel adjacent said terminal edge, one of said flanges being yieldable, a retaining tongue car- 'ied by said base offset laterally from said flanges whereby to permit insertion of the panel between said flanges, the said tongue being bendable into engagement with the adjacent face portion of the panel after such insertion whereby to force the panel into the clip against the tension of said yieldable flange and a neck portion connecting said tongue to said base and forming a bend line disposed at an acute angle with respect to the face of the panel whereby when the tongue progressively bent along said bend line toward the panel the tongue engages the panel with progressively increasing force.

2. An end clip for a jalousie panel which comprises, a base for receiving a terminal edge of the panel, an elongated flange extending substantially at a right angle from said base for receiving a face portion of the panel adjacent said terminal edge, a relatively short flange carried by one end of said base in opposing relationship to the adjacent end portion of said elongated flange for engaging the adjacent face portion of the panel, the said relatively short flange being yieldable, a retaining tongue carried by the other end of said base and offset laterally from said flanges whereby to permit insertion of the panel between said flanges, the said tongue being bendable into engagement with the adjacent face portion of the panel after such insertion whereby to force the panel into the clip against the tension of said yieldable flange and a neck portion connecting said tongue to said base and forming a bend line disposed at an acute angle with respect to the face of the panel whereby when the tongue is progressively bent along said bend line toward the panel the tongue engages the panel with progressively increasing force.

3. An end clip for a jalousie panel which comprises, a base for receiving a terminal edge of the panel, a spring tongue struck from said base for resiliently'engaging a portion of said terminal edge whereby to tend to prevent endwise shifting of the panel, spaced opposed flanges carried by said base for receiving opposed face portions of the panel adjacent said terminal edge, one of said flanges being yieldable, a retaining tongue carried by said base offset laterally from said flanges whereby to permit insertion of the panel between said flanges, the said tongue being bendable into engagement with the adjacent face portion of the panel after such insertion whereby to force the panel into the clip against the tension of said yieldable flange and a neck portion connecting said tongue to said base and forming a bend line disposed at an acute angle with respect to the face of the panel whereby when the tongue is progressively bent along said bend line toward the panel the tongue engages the panel with progressively increasing force.

4. An end clip for a jalousie panel which comprises, a base for receiving a terminal edge of the panel, a spring tongue struck from said base for resiliently engaging a portion of said terminal edge whereby to tend to prevent endwise shifting of the panel, an elongated flange extending substantially at a right angle from said base for receiving a face portion of the panel adjacent said terminal edge, a relatively short flange carried by one end of said base in opposing relationship to the adjacent end portion of said elongated flange for engaging the adjacent face portion of the panel, the said relatively short flange being yieldable, a retaining tongue carried by the other end of said base and offset laterally from said flanges whereby to permit insertion of the panel between said flanges, the said tongue being bendable into engagement with the adjacent face portion of the panel after such insertion whereby to force the panel into the clip against the tension of said yieldable flange and a neck portion connecting said tongue to said base and forming a bend line disposed at an acute angle with respect to the face of the panel whereby when the tongue is progressively bent along said bend line toward the panel the tongue engages the panel with progressively increasing force,

5. An end clip for a jalousie panel which comprises, a base for receiving a terminal edge of the panel, spaced opposed flanges carried by said base for receiving opposed face portions of the panel adjacent said terminal edge, one of said flanges being yieldable, a retaining tongue carried by said base offset laterally from said flanges whereby to permit insertion of the panel between said flanges, the said tongue being bendable into engagement with the adjacent face portion of the panel after such insertion whereby to force the panel into the clip against the tension of said yieldable flange, the said tongue being so constructed and arranged as to be bendable on a line extending at an acute angle with respect to the face of the panel and toward the panel whereby when the tongue is progressively bent toward the panel the tongueengages the panel with progressively increasing force.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,565,447 Andresen et a1 Aug. 21, 1951 2,568,139 Behnke Sept. 18, 1951 2,640,233 Silvers June 2, 1953 2,649,629 Baxter Aug. 25, 1953 

